“I’ve been feeling lonely lately. It seems like everyone around me has close friends and I struggle to connect with people. What advice would you give to someone who wants meaningful friendships?”

Being a young adult can feel weird because it can feel like everyone else has their “people” while you’re still trying to figure out where you fit. You can be surrounded by people, scrolling through social media, and still feel incredibly lonely — and trust me, you’re not the only one who feels like this. Sometimes we want meaningful friendships, but we’re afraid of being awkward, rejected, or left out so we don’t make the first move. But friendships don’t usually happen by accident; sometimes you have to put yourself out there. Start the conversation, send the text, or invite someone to grab coffee. Don’t feel like you have to be the coolest, funniest, or most interesting person in the room — just be real, because the right people will appreciate the real you. While you’re looking for your people, remember that God already knows you, sees you, and cares deeply about you. Pray for friendships but also pray for the courage to recognize and pursue the relationships God places in front of you. Give yourself permission to outgrow relationships that no longer fit while remaining open to new people and new seasons. Your current loneliness is not a life sentence, and your story isn’t behind just because your friendships don’t look like someone else’s. Keep showing up, keep loving people, keep trusting God, and believe that people are worth the awkward first conversation.